Gathering Modern Classrooms Educators to Discuss Impact

Welcome to the Modern Classrooms Project Podcast. Each week we bring you discussions with educators on how they use blended, self-paced, and mastery-based learning to better serve their learners. In this episode, Toni Rose Deanon and Zach Diamond welcome a live audience to celebrate 200 episodes of the podcast.

Episode 200 of the Modern Classrooms Project podcast features a lively discussion among educators about their experiences implementing the blended, self-paced, and mastery-based learning model. Participants share successes, challenges, and strategies for gaining administrative buy-in.

Here are three key takeaways from this podcast episode:

  • Student-centered learning: Educators discuss how the model empowers students to take ownership of their learning, leading to increased confidence, independence, and academic success.

  • Teacher well-being and effectiveness: Teachers discuss how the model has helped to reduce teacher workload and increase instructional time, showing how this model has supported teacher retention and job satisfaction.

  • Building administrative buy-in: Attendees emphasize open communication, data-driven results, and a focus on student outcomes as essential for gaining administrative support.

A recurring theme was the transformative impact of the model on both students and teachers. As Cheryl Fox-Vasquez shared, "I am thrilled with math. I actually took on a new curriculum last year… And I was able to take my students that were in the red and take them all the way back to the gaps that they had and they were able to work through those gaps to come up to the second-grade level."

Discussion questions for PLC and PD: 

  • Given the potential challenges of implementing a self-paced learning model, such as parental concerns or administrative resistance, how can educators effectively communicate the benefits of the Modern Classrooms Project to key stakeholders?

  • How can educators foster a classroom culture that empowers students to take ownership of their learning and make meaningful progress, as highlighted in the podcast?

  • How can educators effectively utilize data to inform instruction and demonstrate the impact of the Modern Classrooms Project on student outcomes?


Our Hosts

Toni Rose taught MS English for 10 years and will forever identify as a teacher. Toni Rose strives to be the teacher that they never had growing up, so they focus on anti-bias, anti-racist work and wants to create a brave space for everyone around them. As a queer Filipinx, they understand just how important it is to be represented, be valued, and belong. They especially love being a thought partner for and celebrating teachers.

Zach Diamond studied Music History and Theory at Oberlin College and received a Masters of Music in Music Education from Boston University. He taught music for five years in Lima, Peru, and is currently a Middle School music teacher at DC International School, a language-immersion school where he teaches in Spanish. He began implementing the Modern Classrooms Model in the 19-20 School Year and enthusiastically continues his work with the organization as a mentor and podcast producer.


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Increasing Student and Teacher Confidence

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Why Americans Hate Math - and What to Do About It